PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim today called on the younger generation to stand up and save the country with knowledge, awareness and passion, through the culture of reading.

He said Malaysia Madani cannot rise without morals, values and the willingness of the younger generation to cultivate knowledge through extensive reading.

Anwar, who considers the effort to cultivate the culture of reading as a big challenge for the country, said the awakening of young people needs to start with the power of knowledge.

“As for social media, I cannot dispute its importance, but believe me, if you want to be a person with karamah insaniah (human dignity), a person who has values, morals and knowledge, it must start with the tradition of reading seriously,” he said when officiating at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (PBAKL) 2023 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur today.

“This country should be developed as the Madani nation that has knowledge, values, kindness and mercy. All that can be nurtured through the spirit of reading and gaining knowledge.”

PBAKL 2023, which is being held until June 4, is targeting 900,000 visitors. A total of 211 exhibitors from the book industry are offering 812 exhibition booths.

Anwar also called on educators and parents to nurture the culture of reading from the early years, because the interest in reading has faded with the advent of social media.

He shared his experience during the presence of two great scholars of the Islamic world in this country yesterday, namely the former Grand Mufti of Egypt, Sheikh Professor Dr Ali Juma’ah Al Azhari and the founder and principal of Dar Al Mustofa in Tarim, Yemen, Habib Umar bin Muhammad bin Salim Ben Hafidz.

Anwar said with the knowledge possessed by the two prominent scholars, their approaches (teachings) are wiser and applied with knowledge, love, tolerance and respect.

“However, for those with ‘dangkal’ (shallow) knowledge, their approach is spread by sowing hatred, insulting people and hurling insults in the name of religion,” he said.

“My speech today is a plea, persuasion, call, urge and to sharpen the thinking of younger generation to change our attitude and start a culture of reading seriously among us.” – Bernama, May 27, 2023.